Original 17th Century Italian Snaphaunce Lock Pistol by Stefano Cioli of Brescia with Embossed Brass Mountings – circa 1675 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an amazing Italian snaphaunce lock pistol, beautifully signed S. CIOLI on the top facet of the barrel. STEFANO CIOLI worked in BRESCIA in 1675 and is listed in Eugene Heer’s fine work Der Neue Stockel Volume 1, page 218. It has a lovely 12 1/2″ half octagonal and half round barrel, and measures 19″ in total length. The pistol bears beautiful embossed brass mounts that may have once been gilt. The carved steel lock displayed FOUR carved MASKS, together with intricate carving on the cock, lock plate, and other components. There is an additional GROTESQUE MASK on the butt cap.

The stock is made from beautiful burl root wood, showing the rich patterns of the grain. The pistol was once fitted with a belt hook that attached to the side plate, which is now long gone and the two mounting holes expertly plugged. The wrist bears a large brass escutcheon with a Ducal Crown over the head of a Goddess in the center. Under the barrel is the ramrod, which has a sturdy iron rammer on one end, and a clearing “worm” screw on the other. It looks original, but the wood may have been replaced at some point long ago. We checked the mechanics, and the snaphaunce lock functions correctly as far as we can tell. The design has no provision for a half cock position.

A great Italian pistol in just lovely condition, dating back to known Maker STEFANO CIOLI from 1675. Now almost 350 years old, this is ready to cherish and display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1675
Caliber: approx .57 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 12 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 19 inches
Action: Snaphaunce Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

History of the Snaphaunce Lock:

A snaphance or snaphaunce is a type of lock for firing a gun or is a gun using that mechanism. The name is Dutch in origin but the mechanism can not be attributed to the Netherlands with certainty. It is the mechanical progression of the wheellock firing mechanism, and along with the miquelet lock and doglock are predecessors of the flintlock mechanism. It fires from a flint struck against a striker plate above a steel pan to ignite the priming powder which fires the gun. Examples of this firearm can be found through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.